25 journalists from 15 Latin American countries arrived in Israel for a two-week visit aimed at getting to know the real Israel. They toured the country, visited various sites and met with a range of public figures. A special day was devoted to KKL-JNF's activities – to the benefit of people, nature and the environment.
Latin America Journalists delegation, Tzora forest. Photo: Yoav Devir
"Our goal is to introduce these journalists to the complex reality in Israel from the security, political, social and economic perspectives," said Gil Novick, the group's coordinator on behalf of the International Institute of Leadership that works closely with the Israeli Foreign Ministry. "They came to listen and learn, and they are given an opportunity to get to know Israel first hand," he added.
Ariel Goldgewicht, Director of KKL-JNF Latin America Department, noted that the group’s members have an important role to play in presenting the true story of Israel in their communities, including among non-Jews. "Members of the press and media participating in the tour now have a better understanding of what Israel is really like, and what the KKL-JNF does. Many of them are very enthusiastic about what they have seen here, and of course we will continue to cultivate the ties with them.”
"Visiting Israel is an enchanting and profound experience," said Maria Molina of Venezuela, a journalist on Mexican television’s Azteca channel. "It's very impressive to see close up what is happening here. Israel is a country of contradictions, and it is very different from everything I imagined. My father always dreamed of visiting Jerusalem, and I am happy that I was able to realize his dream."
Hi-Tech Meets Nature at the Ilanot Arboretum
KKL-JNF tour took place a day before the end of the visit to Israel, and began at the Visitors Center in the Ilanot Forest Arboretum, located in the heart of the Sharon region, that presents the experience of visiting the forest through advanced technological means.
Members of the group rode virtual reality bikes, were impressed by a globe displaying types of forests throughout the world, matched tree varieties on a map, learned about tree parts on tablet computers, watched videos and competed in an interactive trivia quiz. This unique center was established with the support of Friends of KKL-JNF in Denmark.
Avi Ben Shmuel, the guidance and volunteer coordinator at the Visitors Center, told guests that the forest of trees was planted in the early days of the state, with the goal of testing the acclimatization potential of different tree species. 700 diverse species from different parts of the world were planted in Ilanot. As the years went by, the forest was forgotten and abandoned, until KKL-JNF began to nurture and cultivate it, and turn it into a botanical garden.
Following the fascinating technological tour, it was time to set out on a walk around the enchanting corners of the forest. The journalists enjoyed the variety of exotic plants and the direct contact with nature. They walked along the accessible paths in the forest, which were paved especially for people with disabilities, thanks to the support of JNF USA Friends.
"This is my first visit to Israel, and I found it to be a beautiful country, with green forests and wonderful people," said Nelfi Reyes of Bolivia, a journalist with the popular El Deber newspaper. "I was very impressed by the important activities of the KKL-JNF in protecting the environment and developing the country."
Water and Agriculture in the Hefer Valley
From there, the journalists continued to the Hefer Valley for a visit to Agmon Hefer. This new park is a haven for birds and an attraction for nature lovers. The site, which was established with the support of Friends of JNF Canada, includes an artificial lake, wooden decks, hidden observation points and walking paths, where you can meet pelicans, grebes, coots, egrets, and numerous other birds, as well as a variety of mammals.
Eyal Amrami, Agmon Hefer’s director, explained that the park spreads over 35 hectares, in the heart of the Emek Hefer fields, near the Alexander stream. Most of the park area is covered by a lake of about 300,000 cubic meters. The depth of the water varies in different parts of the lake to suit the needs of a wide range of birds. Bike trails and walking paths have been constructed to make the site accessible to visitors.
The new park is located on the site of the former fish ponds of Kibbutz Ein Hahoresh. The ponds were deserted, and the area left neglected until the KKL-JNF and additional partners joined forces to establish the park. "We intend to continue developing the area for nature and bird watching tourism," said Amrami. "We want to develop a place where humans, nature and agriculture exist side by side in harmony."
Amrami explained that the Emek Hefer region was characterized by natural swamps that were the habitat for many plants and animals. The Jewish pioneers who settled in the area about 100 years ago drained the swamps, built communities and developed local agriculture. "My grandparents came to settle here many years ago," said Amrami. "Initially, the KKL-JNF was instrumental in purchasing land for the establishment of these communities."
KKL-JNF continues to support the development of Emek Hefer to this day, inter alia through the construction of water reservoirs, which serve the farmers of the region in the irrigation of their citrus groves, avocados, tomatoes, cucumbers and flowers.
Group members stood in the observation point overlooking the Alexander stream, as Amrami described to them the efforts made by KKL-JNF to rehabilitate the stream, which was once neglected and polluted. The project included purifying the polluted water, rehabilitating the vegetation and turning the area into a magical natural jewel and a magnet for visitors.
Italy Park was built along the stream, with the support of Friends of KKL-JNF in Italy. The park offers trails for cyclists and pedestrians, accessible trails for the disabled, shaded seating areas, green lawns for rest and picnic and landscaped gardening. “Following the rehabilitation, the stream returned to life,” said Amrami.
He mentioned another important environmental protection project: the establishment of an emergency sewage treatment plant on the border. Polluted water arriving from the Palestinian side of the border, from the Nablus River and waste-water from Tulkarm, undergoes basic treatment to reduce the pollution in Alexander stream. “Development on the Palestinian side has become a new threat to the Alexander stream, due to the increased flow of sewage," said Amrami. “Israel has begun the process of constructing a large and modern sewage purification facility on the border, for the high-quality treatment of all the sewage.”
"I envisioned Israel as a desert state in constant conflict, but I discovered a country that is quite different from what I expected," said Angie Matiz, a radio broadcaster from Colombia. "This is a developed country, with people from different cultures who are trying to find a way to live together. People here are strong, but apparently they have to be, to preserve their independence.”
Roberto Alas, of El Dionio De Hoy newspaper in El Salvador, said that it was important for him to visit Israel in order to get to know the reality of life in the country. "I met a lot of interesting people here," said Alas.
Trees and People in the Tzora – President’s Forest
The fascinating day, rich with experiences, concluded with the planting of a tree at KKL-JNF's planting center in the Tzora – President’s Forest, which covers about 1,000 hectares to the west of Jerusalem. KKL-JNF began planting this forest about 60 years ago and has continued to diversify the planting of different indigenous trees, build camping sites, observation points and hiking trails. KKL-JNF Planting Center invites people from all corners of the world to take part in the experience of planting a tree in the Land of Israel.
“I am proud to plant a tree in Israel," said Marcella Rivera, a radio and television journalist on Channel 12 in El Salvador. "I feel that part of me remains in Israel and continues to grow here, and when I return home I will plant another tree, to mark the friendship with Israel.”
“The visit to Israel was one of the most significant experiences of my life,” concluded Claudia Martinez of Mexico, a journalist with UN TV. “I got to know the many sides of Israel, I was impressed by the country’s multiculturalism, and I feel that today I understand life here much better.”